Jerome H. Sklaroff, professor of orthodontics in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine for 67 years, died peacefully at his home in Philadelphia on March 18. He was 96.

The son of Eastern European immigrants, Dr. Sklaroff was born in Philadelphia. He enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in 1939 and graduated from the Temple University School of Dentistry in 1945. A veteran of World War II, he served as a captain in the US Army Dental Corps as a dentist, first at Ft. Leavenworth prison and then in Germany. Following the completion of his military service, he enrolled at The University of Michigan School of Orthodontics and graduated in 1951.

In 1952, Dr. Sklaroff opened a private orthodontics practice in Philadelphia and became the youngest member of the orthodontic faculty at the Penn’s School of Dental Medicine. During the next 67 years, he was a teacher, mentor and friend to more than 500 orthodontic graduate students. The American Board of Orthodontics awarded him the O.B. Vaughan Special Recognition Award in 2015 to recognize his significant contributions to orthodontic education.

Dr. Peter Greco, co-director of Penn’s Orthodontic Clinic and clinical professor of orthodontics, said, “[Dr. Sklaroff’s] candor was legendary, as there was no ambiguity of his opinion or his sentiment. Among these qualities, his command of orthodontics and his unrelenting status as a lifelong student of the specialty until his last days made him an orthodontic luminary in Penn’s department of orthodontics for over 67 years. We have lost a giant of a man.”

He is survived by his wife, Carole; daughters, Sonya (Michael Bagalman) and Lizabeth (Martin Josefsson); and three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Natasha and Hugo.

A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either the Curtis Institute of Music at www.curtis.edu/giving-archive/make-a-gift/ or to the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine at www.dental.upenn.edu/sklaroff

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